New Delhi. Logistics giant DHL Express continues to innovate, harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the processing of shipments within its sorting and storage facility located in the vicinity of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India.
R.S. Subramanian, Senior VP of South Asia & Managing Director of DHL Express India, said the integration of AI into DHL Express New Delhi’s operations is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of every sorting step and shipment data management. Subramanian underscores the necessity of AI to manage sorting and delivery processes seamlessly, especially with a staggering volume of approximately 1 million shipments per month traversing through around 57 checkpoints.
“We have 1 million shipments we process in a month. For each shipment, we typically have 57 different checkpoints. And therefore in a month, we have 57 million data points. There is so much accumulated memory and knowledge and is there an opportunity for AI to understand shipment movement, and predict what is going to happen to the shipment. Can I do something proactively? Definitely,” explains Subramanian during the Jakarta Globe’s visit to DHL’s facility recently.
The AI system employed by DHL Express New Delhi, India, is dubbed the Advanced Quality Control Center (AQCC). It enables comprehensive tracking of shipments throughout their journey from origin to destination across the network. Moreover, Subramanian elaborates that the system meticulously records the data of each shipment’s voyage.
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When a shipment is picked up, the entire data about the shipment and the documentation needed for cross-border clearance moves electronically to the port where it needs to be cleared. Most often they are not based on the local country regulations. With AI, DHL is able to process the shipments and when the shipment comes, nothing needs to be done.
“It’s already pre-cleared by customers. And then it just goes through the facility and comes here for sorting and we take it out for delivery. The entire process possibly takes about 60 to 90 minutes,” he said.
“Today we can do that for about 75 percent of our shipments are pre-cleared and therefore they don’t wait on arrival. They just get sorted and go out for delivery,” he added.
In addition to AI utilization, the sorting and storage facility at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India, boasts modern features such as full drive-in with direct loading capability, a motorized conveyor system, telescopic conveyor, automated weighing and dimensioning equipment, motion sensors for office lamps, and conveyor weight sensors.
Despite leveraging AI for operational efficiency, DHL Express New Delhi, India, remains committed to maintaining its workforce’s connectivity. The company asserts that there have been no layoffs at DHL Express New Delhi, even with the integration of AI technology. Subramanian assures that all employees at DHL Express are native Indians, from top management positions such as the CEO to delivery couriers.
“I’ve not seen a single employee being laid off. But we’ve been continuously investing. We are investing in technology and we are sunsetting some mundane tasks,” affirms Subramanian.
DHL Express is also intensifying its business endeavors in India. The warehouse at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, was established in 2017 with an investment value of approximately $7 million (Rp 110.7 billion). He anticipates that within the next five years, DHL’s investment value across India could soar to $200 million.
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